Facsimile framing system



Aug- 17, 1954 R. E. FRrcKs 2,686,832

FACSIMILE FRAMING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 9. 1952 Patented Aug. 17, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,686,832 FACSIMILE FRAMING SYSTEM Richard E. Fricks, We

Alden Products C0.,

ymouth, Mass., assignor to Brockton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 9, 1952, Serial No. 270,824 11 Claims. (Cl. l7869.5)

grees of the total of each scanning cycle.

Several automatic phasing systems have been developed, which are operated by the input signal pulses to frame the receiver with respect to the transmitter or scanner. These various systems have to depend upon friction clutches, latches,

erroneous slippage.

Accordingly the objects of this invention are to provide framing apparatus which will bring the recorder of a facsimile system into proper responds with a predetermined position of the electrode, Means are provided for `comparing the time of occurrence of the auxiliary pulses with the time of occurrence of framing pulses from a of parallel connected vacuum tubes. The anodes of the tubes are connected by means of a network whose output controls the operation of a suitable framing device such as a sensitive relay whose contacts are connected in the circuit of the driv- 6 ing moving electrode of the recorder so that the momentary opening of the contacts permits the motor to slip preferably only by one pole. The network preferably includes a second multivi- These and further objects and aspects will be apparent from the following description of a specic embodiment of the invention referring to a drawing wherein the single ligure is that of a wiring diagram.

In the illustrated embodiment vacuum tubes Vl and V2 are connected in parallel by joining anode and cathode of one of the tubes to the an input terminal tl which is connected to the control electrode of the tube Vl by means of a coupling capacitor el. Auxiliary pulses of substantially the same magnitude as the framing pulses are applied to the control electrode of the tube V2 by means of a coupling capacitor c2.

capacitor C2 between the control electrode of the tube V2 and the negative terminal of a direct power source such as the battery B, whose positive terminal is grounded, The switch Si is operated by the movable electrode of the recorder (not shown) being `connected thereto either by a Vil are grounded through a common cathode resistor Tt. The anodes or the tubes V3 and Vd are connected to the positive terminal oi the B power supply by load resistors Tl and TIE respectively. The anode of the tube V3 is coupled to the control electrode of the tube Vil by means of a capacitor c3. The latter control electrode is also connected to the positive B power supply terminal by a resistor T i il.

The output of the multivibrator is taken from the anode or" the tube Vd which is linked with the anode of a diode vacuum tube V5 by a coupling capacitor c4. The common terminal of the latter anode and the capacitor cli is grounded through a resistor TIS. The cathode of the diode V5 is directly connected to the control electrode oi a buier vacuum tube V6. A capacitor c5 and a resistor Ti, which form a time delay or integrating circuit, are connected in parallel between the control electrode of the tube Vt and ground. The cathode of the tube V5 is linked to the coinmon junction oi two resistors T and T22, which are connected in series between the positive terminal and the B power supply and ground, to form a voltage divider.

The anode of the tube V5 is directly co-nnected to the anode of a -tube Vl which comprises one half of a relatively slow free running multivibrator, that is, a multivibrator whos-e frequency is slower than the frequencies of the framing and auxiliary pulse, which frequency is related to the motor inertia as explained hereinafter. The control electrode of the tube Vl is connected to the second tube V8 of the multivibrator by a capacitor cli The anode oi the tube Vl is cross connected I to the control electrode of the tube Vl by a similar capacitor cl. A direct potential is applied to the anodes of the tubes Vl and V8 through load'resistors Till and T26 which are interposed between the respective anodes and the positive terminal of the B power supply. The cathodes of the tubes Vl and VS are both directly linked to ground, The circuits for the control electrodes for the tubes Vi and VS are completed through grid resistors T28 and TSEB respectively.

The output from the slow running multivibrator is taken from the anode of the tube Vl which is connected to the cathode oi a diode vacuum tube VS by means of a capacitor citi, the cathode also being tied to ground by means of a resistor T32. The anode of the diode is connected to the control electrode oi an amplifier vacuum tube Vl() whose cathode is grounded. A capaci-tor cil is connected in parallel with a resistor T3@ between ground and the common junction oi the control electrode oi the tube Vl and the anode of tube VS to form a time delay network. The anode of the tube Vl@ is linked with the positive terminal of the B power supply by means of a. load which consists oi a resistor TSS connected in series with the coil of a relay S. The relay contacts are connected to interrupt the circuit energizing the synchronous motor (not shown) which operates the moving electrode of a facsimile recorder, for example one similar to that shown in the copenaing application of Milton Alden, Serial No. 149,182, filed March 1l, 1950. rlhe relay -coil and tube Viti are shunted by a large by-pass capacitor ci?.

The following list of typical component values for the above described circuit is given only by way oi example for use with `a 300 volt B power supply it being understood that the invention is not limited to the use of components having such values as the values mark-ed with asterisks depend upon the characteristics of the motor being controlled by the circuit. Vl, V2-12AU'7 cI-0.l mid. V3, Vd-lZAU c2-0.l mid.

Operation of the above described circuit can best be understood with reference to the diagrams identiiied by Roman numerals which represent the respective variations of the potential with respect to ground as a function oi time at the junctions in the wiring diagram bearing the same indicia. Accordingly diagram I represents one of a series of framing pulses such as are incorporated as a part of a conventional facsimile signal as are applied to the control electrode of the tube Vi as described above. iJiagram Il represents a negative pulse such as is generated by the closing of the switch sl upon each revolution of the recording electrode and applied to the control electrode of the tube V2.

As the control electrodes of the tubes Vi and V2 are not biased, it will be evident that in the absence of an input signal these tubes will conduct heavily, the current therethrough being limited only by the common load resistor Tii. The resultant voltage drop across the resistor T4 sharply lowers the anode potential (at point Ill) with respect to ground. When a negative pulse such as is shown in either Diagram l or il is applied to the control electrode of a respective tube, the tube is cut orf so that the voltage rises at point Ill due to the decrease in the current ow through the load resistor Tl. if the occurrence of a framing pulse coincides with the occurrence of an auxiliary pulse (indicating that the scanner and transmitter are in phase) both of the tubes Vl and V2 are cut off so that a further pulse having a voltage approximately equal to that of the power supply potential is applied at point lII. By proper proportioning oi the value of the load with respect to the plate resistance or the tubes, the potential of the further pulse at point III when pulse coincidence occurs can be made ten times as great as the potential when only one of the tubes is cut ofi by a random pulse as is shown in Diagram Il.

The tube V3 of the long pulse generator or multivibrator is normally cut on" and the tube Vfl is normally conducting so that the voltage drop through the load resistor T12 lowers the potential ci the point IV below that of the B power supply. lThis equilibrium condition is not upset by the rise in voltage at point Ill due to the impressing of a random pulse upon the control electrode oi either tube Vi or V2 as discussed above. When however a coincidence of pulses occurs the high positive voltage applied to the control electrode of the tube V3 causes the tube to conduct, and the increased current through the resistor T8 results in the potential on the cathode of the tube Vf becoming more positive with respect to the control electrode so that the tube Vt is cut off and the poe tentialat point lV rises sharply to the value oi the B power supply. Thetube Vfl remains cut oli until the capacitor c3 discharges through the pulses whereupon the relay remains locked in as resistor TM to raise the potential upon the control has been described heretofore until such time as electrode with respect to the cathode to a point such pulses again are not coincident.

where the tube again conducts. The multivibrator It .should be understood that the present disphase as indicated by the coincidence of successive appended claims.

framing and auxiliary pulses the potential at I claim: point IV varies as a series of comparatively long l. An electrical circuit for framing the moving positive pulses as is indicated in Diagram IV. electrode of a facsimile recorder in accordance delay circuit consisting of the capacitor c5 and the 15 lneluding Said Switching means fOr DrOdllCing V6 so that the tube conducts, means for comparing the time of occurrence of If the framing and auxiliary pulses do not eothe auxiliary pulses with the time of the occulincide the multivibrator remains quiescent so that renee of the framing pulses, said comparing a potential which is suiiiciently relatively negameans producing further pulses when said framtive to out oir the tube v6 1s impressed upon the ing and euXlllary pulses coincide, framing means control electrode theieof 'Ihe values of the comfOl Varying the relative phase lelatlOnShlD of said skipped pulses, inoperative is conditioned by the pulse compai- The tube V6 controls the action ofthe slow runine means to render the framing means inoperning multivibrator by clamping the anode of ative when the auxiliary and framing pulses do the tube v1 atarelativeiynegative poteutialwhen Coincide, Said eemparine means producing no the tube V5 conducts thereby to stop the opera- 35 Pulse-S and Said integrator producing n0 GOntYOl tion of the multivibrator when the coincidence of POteiltiai theeby allowing the multivibrator t0 the operation of the multivibrator is stopped, conand flaming DlliSeS d0 not COinCide.

trol electrode of the tube VID is returned to zero 40 2- An eieCtliCal Circuit fOl' framing the lnOV- bias or ground potential through the resistor r34, ing electrode 0f a faCSimlie ltfCOlder in aCCOidso that the tube conducts The resulting current ance With flaming DhlSeS frein a Scanner, Said driving motor energized, trode, means including said switching means for When the scanner and recorder are not in Syn producing auxiliary pulses Whose occurrence corchronism, the tube V5 is out Orf so that the 510W responds with a predetermined position of the pulses which occur at the rate of 1 to 2 per second means for varying the relative phase relationas is shown in the Diagram VI, which is the rate Ship 0f Said eieCtTOde, a free Tunning multiviat which the inertia of the motor permits it to brator whose output controls the operation of the slip one pole and regain speed. These pulses drive flaming l'nenne a generator responsive to Said that the current now through the tube is momenauxlilarv pulses coincide for producing relatively tarily interrupted. T e multivibrator output long pulses, means iorintegratlng said long pulses pulses are modified by the time delay circuit oon- 0 DTOOUCB a cOntrOl DOtentlal and means fOl to form short negative control pulses-shown in il-Old the muitiVibTatOI inoperative thereby t0 slip one pole. From the foregoing it will be underby allowing til@ multivibrator t0 Operate indestood that the period necessary for the motor to nendently and render the framing means m0- to slip 01T the pole, and hence the 510W running 3. An electrical circuit for framing the motor multivibrator has a long period (one-half to one driving the moving electrode of a facsimile rethe reason stated This slipping action 1s oona scanner, said circuit including switching means tinued by each succeeding negative pulse until operated in synehronism with the movement of the scanner and recorder are in phase as evidenced said electrode, means including said switching by the coincidence of the 4framing and auxiliary 75 means OI Producing auXiliary pulses WhOSe 0C- currence corresponds with a predetermined position of the electrode, means for comparing the time of occurrence of the auxiliary pulses with the time of the occurrence of the framing pulses, said comparing means producing further pulses when said framing and auxiliary pulses coincide, framing means for varying the phase relationship o said electrode including a relay whose contacts are connected to open the energizing circuit for said motor so that the motor slips, a free running multivibrator whose output controls the operation oi the relay, and means interconnecting the pulse comparing means with the multivibrator including an integrator for converting said further pulses into a control potential for holding the multivibrator inoperative to bias the multivibrator to close the motor energizing circuit when the auxiliary and framing pulses do coincide, said comparing means producing no pulses and said integrator producing no control potential thereby allowing the multivibrator to operate independently and render the framing means momentarily operative when the auxiliary and framing pulses do not coincide.

d. A circuit according to claim 3 wherein the period ci the multivibrator is substantially equal to the 'time interval required for the synchronous motor to slip one pole and regain speed at another pole.

5. A circuit according to claim 3 wherein a time delay network having a time constant substantially greater than the period of the multivibrator is interposed between the multivibrator and the relay.

6. An electrical circuit for framing the moving recording electrode of a facsimile recorder in accordance with framing pulses from a scanner, said circuit including switching means operated in synchronism with the movement of said electrode, means including said switching means ior producing auxiliary pulses whose occurrence corresponds with a predetermined position of the electrode, means including two vacuum tubes connected in parallel for comparing the time of occurrence of the auxiliary pulses with the time of the occurrence of the framing pulses, the control electrode of one tube being connected to have the framing pulses impressed thereupon, the4 control electrode oi the second tube being connected to said switching means so that the auxiliary pulses are impressed thereupon, said tubes producing further pulses when the framing and auxiliary pulses coincide, framing means for varying the relative phase relationship of said recording electrode, a free running multivibrator whose output controls the operation or the framing means, and means interconnecting the anodes or" said tubes with the multivibrator including an integrator :Tor converting said further pulses into a control potential for holding the multivibrator inoperative to bias the multivibrator to render the framing means inoperative when the auxiliary and framing pulses do coincide, said comparing meansproducing no pulses and said integrator producing no control potential thereby allowing the multivibrator to operate independently and render the framingmeans momentarily operative when the auxiliary and framing pulses do not coincide.

'7. An electrical circuit for framing the moving electrode of a facsimile recorder in accordance with framing pulses 'from a scanner, said circuit including switching means operated in synchronism with the lmovement of said electrode,

means including said-switching means for producing auxiliary pulses whose occurrence correspends With a predetermined position of the electrodey. means for comparing the time of occurrence oi` the auxiliarypulses with the time of the occurrence of the framing pulses, said comparing means producing furthe-r pulses when said framingand auxiliary pulses coincide, raming means. for varying the relative phase relationship of said electrode, a slow running multivibrator whose output controls the operation or the framing means, and a normally quiescent free running multivibrator and an integrator interconnecting the pulse comparing means with the slow running multivibrator, said normally quiescent multivibrator producing long pulses in response to each of said further pulses, and said integrator converting said long pulses into a control potential for the. slow running multivibrator, therebyv biasing the slow running multivibrator to renderthe. framing means inoperative when the auxiliary and framing pulses do coincide, said comparing means producing no pulses and said integrator producing no, control potential thereby allowing the multivibrator to operate independentlyand render the framing means momentarily operative when the auxiliary and iraming. pulses do, not coincide.

8. A circuitv according to claim 7 wherein the framing device includes a relay whose contacts are connected to open the energizing circuit for said motor so thatthe motor slips.

9.. A circuit according to claim 1 characterized by pulse forming means responsive to the 'free running. multivibrator to apply a short pulse to said framing means.

10. A circuit according to claim 9 further characterized in that. said pulse forming means comprises av time delay circuit limiting the length of said short pulses to a time sufficient to permit the recorderelectrodeto, slip one pole.

1l. For synchronizing the phase relation between a facsimile scanning device and transmitted framing pulses, electrical apparatus comprising means for generating auxiliary pulses in synchronism with said device, means for comparing said pulses. and for generating further pulses when said framingf and auxiliary pulses coincide, an integrator for converting said further pulses into a controlpotential, control pulse forming means including, a free-.running multivibrator held inoperative by -saidpotential for producing short control pulses, when said. potential is removed, and framing means momentarily responsive to said pulses .to- Vary the phase relation or said scanning device and framing pulses, so that the operation, of the multivibrator is conditioned by the pulse comparing means to render the iraming means inoperative when the auxiliary and framing pulses do coincide, said comparing means producing no p u]ses Yand said integrator producing no control, potential thereby allowing the multivibrator to operate independently and render the. framing meansv momentarily operative when the. auxiliary and framing pulses do not coincide.

Referencesn Cited: in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date f 2,309,622 Anderson Feb. 2, 1942 2,522,919 Artzt Sept. i9, 1950 2,591,743, Millspaugh May 20, 1952 

